Line storage reel



Sept. 24, 1957 H. KELEM ETAL LINE STORAGE: REEL 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 28. 1955 N MMA, 0mm n R T56 N Na 0/ R o BY dag/M? Sept 24, l957 H. KELEM SEAL l 2,807,426 LINE STORAGE REEL.

Filed Dec. 28, 1953 2-SheetsSheet2 1:14- is ,56 a 24 A umm .54

ATTORNEY?v United States Patent() ice L'INEf STORAGE HowardKelem; FarRockawaygQand August: Ackerman,

Brooklyn, -N..Y..

The`r present .invention .relates generallyv toan improved control apparatus--for` line-controlled.. mobile devices; and .inparticular itrelatessto ari-:improved devicefor theline i control of self=powered i model aircraft or modelf-isurface craft.' While. notlimited thereto; the present invention will-"bedscribedin.relation to its.- use inthe controbof captive modelaircrafh Aipopular pastime isethe ying;V of. self-poweredf-,model aircraft: since suchflying. requires 'a'. limitedV amountv of space/.andthe aircraft? can `be. always under the ycontrol A of anI operator, andcan be. caused -ltherebyy to` perform many complex maneuvers.y In accordance with the/"conventionalt practice,` the captive model. aircraft is.` generally controlledbyvaryingthe elevators;thereby;t varyinglthe altitude-of the-aircraft. The elevators-1 are ycontrolled .by means` ofl apair offtransversely) spaced,. flexible control lines-extendingv from a I manual controlf element held: by theopera-tor to -a` lever. control disposed-in.- the* aircraft. The. lever is? coupled f to the: elevators whereby achange in position of the; lever results .in` a corresponding change in.y the. raising or? lowering; of theelevators." Through this system,- the: operator,- by: shifting; the relative;y longitudinal positioniof'the-control lever by the manipulation ofthe manual control Y element, mayI vary; the .angularity of: theelevatorsf and ztherebyfcontrol the path :of flight of thecaptiveaircrafny Employing. this system,- the-model aircraft will.:traverse.paths alongfthe surface. ofi a" sphere withfthe` operator at its center and of alradiuszsu'bstanftiallysequal tothe length-:of thecontrol lines.

While,- .byfproper manipulation oftheV manual control element, the-aircraftioan be caused to execute many com plex flying-5 patterns;J flexibilityandmaneuverabilityl are limited since the-operator' may controlvonlyr one variable. Furthermorqmobilecraft'which require .ther simultaneous controlof a plurality of variables cannot be. properly: or adequatelyfmaneuvered:byimeans of thefconventionalline control systems;y An. outstanding example of such. type of aircraftis-:the helicopter. Itis thus apparentfthatthe absence of more than one control of the captiveying aircraft leaves much tobefdesired f andVv taXes the: skill of thev opera-tor verylittlef.

It is thusa principal object ofy the present invention to provide an'improved controlfapparatusefor line-controlled captive, self-powered. model air an'd'surface craft.

Stillr a furtherI object'. ofy theplresent. inventionx is to provide an `improvedfmanual controlfelement andstorage device for control-lines` employed with captive,y selfL powered'mobile.- craft.

Another object of the present'invention is: to: provide animprovedfma'nual control element: and storage device for control.v lines employed with,I captive,` self-.powered mobile crafthavinga'plurality of control elements; in accordance withfthe presenttinvention; f

The above-and further. objectszof` the present-.invention will become"apparentv from a-readingfof the: following specification takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawing'. wherein,

Figure l is a perspective view of a preferred embodi- 2,8075426 Patented Sept. 24,'. 1957 2^; ment ofthe present invention as yappliedrto fthe maneuveringfof' aline controlled selfepoweredcaptive model air- Figure 2 isv a detail perspective.' view.v of'the:` control elements: located in the controlledaircraft;V

Figure/3 is affront elevationalviewofztlietimproved manual control Aand line-storage device in accordanceifwith the: presentV invention;l

Figure. 4f is'. a'- sideelevational view'f thereof partially in section;v

Figure 5 is.v af. sectional: view taken along f line 54--5l in Figure 4; and

Figure. 6 is". a. sectional view taken along '.line; 6:4-6f in Figure 5.

The present` invention 1 broadly." contemplates the provisions. ofY a: controlY apparatus 1 for at mobile' craftl comprisingtapair. of controlled elements-mounted .rotatably .abouty mutually obliquevaxesya pair of laterally spaced controllnlinesext'ending longitudinally from each^ off'said elements, each of said linesi having its@ leadzends'asecured torsaidr elementy at opposite sides' of its@ respective: axis of rotation, anda control memb'er, the trailing `.portions vof each :of-.saidfpaits of controllines: being engagedeby lsaid control member. atr points spaced onmutuallyf oblique transverse axesfofsaidf control member; Eachoff. the controlledl elements are in' trnf connectedy to a. correspondingflight controlling mechanism Vof ithermobile fcraft. Thus, by;` rocking the controlfmeniber` about atransverse aXis. ollique.` to the line joiningI the terminii ofl one of the:respective controlline pairs, the controlledelementis correspondingly manipulated, asl is the-'respective flight controlimechanism.. Where th'e axisv of rotationcoincides Witlrthe line'joining thefterminii of the'otlerpair. of 'control lines, there isnofmovement of the latterrcontrol lines; andihence movementresults of only the li'rst pair thusl permittingk independent` manipulation'i of the.` controlled.l elements: I-I'oweverrwhere4 thefaXisof rotation does not. coincideV with? the4 latter terminii: joining'line therebresultsi a simultaneous'fmovement of'f'the controlled elements;y Little: practicer isneededlto acquirethe skill orfeel necessary-to: manipulate the controlled'elernents irzrthe` desired manner toachieve a greatvariety'ofdifrferent maneuvers of thercaptive: craftl Ini accordanceAv with a preferred4 embodiment of.A the present invention. the. controlled.` elements-:consist .of .afpair of' levers mounted intermediate'ftheir ends4 uponrlaterally oifsetg.V mutually. perpendicular shafts. which4 actuatef the desiredcraftf'controls. The ends of each p'air..of;control lines engage. opposite endsfof eachlever; The control devicefincludes aheavy Walled,4 cup-shaped:b'odyfm'ember supporting a coaxial shaft to whichl is:l keyed a. cup; shaped drumor spool which is nested in the body mein'L ber; Azbevelf gear is .also 'keyed tothe: shaft; and engages al matchingbevel a gear Which's mounted-onthe. shank' of acrarrkl extending.' transversely; through tlie.Y bottom. wall of: thefshaft and terminating ina winding handle. Four regularly circ-nmferentially spacedtange'ntial recesses are formed in theinnerfface of th'e1body member side'fwall and liavefidler rolls supportedtherein and. communicating vwith the outer face of the spool whichhasifourlongi tudinally spacedr peripheral? grooves formed" therein. Longitudinal bores are'formedinthe'base of each.of;the re'cesses'v and' extend through the.i fronti face of. the" body member.' Ai cup-'shaped cap nests' in and issp'aced from the sproo'lwalls and is'providedwith a peripheral flange which is'fsecured totheupper faceof thebodymember and lhasmounted thereon a diametrically'extending lhand grip'. The.l inner' cylindrical Vface of; the spool is` forwardly and. inwardly inclined,.andzaiforwardly, directed recess is formedrin the fouter face of .th-efcap and'engages afrearwardly'V tapered brake. .shoe havinga rearwardly directed shank extending through the cap flange and hand .model airplane'having two sets of controls.

`laterally spaced axes.

grip and terminating in a knob. Spring means urge the brake rearwardly to lock the spool which may be released by pressing on the knob. A multiplicity of regularly circumferentially spaced, forwardly directed tapered holes are formed in the rear wall of the spool. A tapered pin 4is slidably disposed in a longitudinal bore formed in the handle and cap ange in line with the circumference of the tapered holes in the cap and terminates at its rear end in a finger piece and is spring urged forwardly. Thus the spool ispositively locked in place when the pin engages any. of the holes and the spool may be released by withdrawing the pin against the pressure of the spring. Each of the control lines may be stored by being wound in a corresponding groove in the spool by means of the winding handle. sponding body member tangential recess, about the idler roll and through the body .member front face by way of the longitudinal bores.

Reference is now made tothe drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the presenty invention wherein the numeral generally designates a line controlled For example there may be controlled any of the following two, the elevators, motor speed, rudder, ailerons or any other desired variable or actuated device. Located in the craft 10 are a pair of controlled elements 12 and 14 rigidly mounted on shafts 16` and 18 and rotatable therewith. The shafts 16 and 18 extend in longitudinal and vertical directions respectively so that the controlled elements 12 and .14 `are rotatable about mutually perpendicular, The shafts 16 and 18 may be coupled to and control any desired control mechanism as aforesaid. Engaging the opposite ends of each of the control elements 12 and 14 is a pair of control lines 20 and` 22 respectively, the pair 20 including a line 20a whose lead end engages the upper end of the controlled element 12 and a line 20b whose lead end engages the lower* end of the controlled element 12, and the control `line pair 22 including a line 22a and a line 22b engaging respectively the forward and rear end of the controlled element 14. Thus by proper manipulation of the pairs of lines and 22 as aforesaid the desired controls may be effected. The necessary manipulation is accomplished by a control device 24 which also serves as a line storage device and which when in operation engages the trailing portions of the lines 20 and 22 to facilitate theirV control as will be hereinafter set forth.

The control device 24 includes a thick walled cup shaped body member 26 having an arcuate front wall 28 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 30. Four regularly circumferentially spaced tangentially extending recesses 32 are formed in the inner face of the cylindrical wall and are open through the rear end of the wall 30.

A cup shaped cap member 34 having a front arcuate wall 36 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 38 registers with the interior of the body member 26 and is provided with an outwardly directed peripheral ange 40 which abuts the rear annular face of the body member 26 and is secured thereto by means of suitable screws 42. The confronting faces of the body member 26 and the cap member 34 are substantially uniformly spaced from each other and define a spool housing cavity 44.

A pair of aligned circular recesses are formed in the confronting faces of the body wall 28 and cap wall 36 co-axial with the longitudinal axis of the body member 26 and cap 34 and rotatably `support a short shaft 46. A cup-shaped winding drum or spool 48 is located in the spool cavity 44 and is co-axially mounted onand'suitably keyed to the shaft 46 by means of a longitudinally exn tending groove opening formed in the front wall of the spool48 so that the spool 48 rotates with the shaft 46. As illustrated in the drawings, the faces of the spool 48 are spaced from the confronting faces of the spool cavity 44 in order to permit the relatively free rotation of the spool. The spool 48 is provided with a cylindrical pe- Each control line passes into a corre-` ripheral wall 50 having four regular longitudinally spaced circumferential grooves 52 formed in its outer face which are adapted to store a corresponding number of control lines. Located adjacent the rear wall of each of the recesses 32 is a line guide consisting of an idler roll 54 suitably mounted on a transverse axle 56 supported between the walls of the corresponding recess 32. A longitudinal bore 58 is formed in the front wall of each of the recesses 32 and extends through the body member 26, the longitudinal axis of each bore being tangent to the inner face of the corresponding idler roll 54. Each of the idler rolls 54 is supported at a different level adjacent the respective spool storage grooves 52.

A hand grip `59 of suitable configuration is secured to the cap flange 40 and extends across and rearwardly thereof.

A peripheral groove 60 is formed in the inner face of the spool wall 50 and is defined by an outwardly and forwardly inclinedsurface 62 and a radial shoulder. A longitudinal recess 64 is formed in the outer face of the cap wall 38 at the level of the spool groove 60 and slidably houses a wedge-shaped brake shoe 66 having an inclined braking surface 68 confronting and parallel to the spool groove surface 62. The brake shoe 66 is provided with a rearwardly directed, rod-shaped shank 70 which extends through corresponding aligned longitudinal bores formed in the cap flange 40 andthe upper part of the hand grip 59 and terminates in a finger knob 72. A helical compression spring 74 engages the shank 70, is disposed in a recess 76 formed in the hand grip 58 and is entrapped between the under faceof the knob 72 and the inner shoulder of the recess .'76 to normally urge the shank 70 and brake shoe 66 rearwardly,.whereby to bring the braking surface 68 into tight engagement with the spool surface 62 to retard or halt the rotation of the spool 48. Furthermore, in order to lock the spool 48 positively in any desired position a multiplicity of closelyspaced, longitudinal tapered depressions 78 are formed in the rear end face of the spool wall 50.` A tapered pin 80 terminating in a finger piece 82 is slidably supported in a bore formed in the cap flange 40 and the hand grip 58 so as to be movable into and out of engagement with a selected hole 78. A helical compression spring 84 surrounding the pin 80 and nested in a recess in the hand grip 59 is entrapped between an annular ange 87 supported on the pin 80 and a bushing located in said recess to urge the pin 80 forwardly into engagement with a hole 78. A transverse pin 89 is mounted on the pin` 80 forward of the annular ange 87 and selectively registers with a pair of grooves formed in the opposite walls of the opening engaging the forward portion of the pin 80 'or rests on the shoulderbetween the recess 76 and said opening to 4define lock and unlock positions respectively. In order to permit rotation of the spool 48 for winding or unwinding it is necessary to raise the pin 80 and at least partially depress the brake shoe 66 by way of the knob 72.

The mechanism for rotating the` spool 48 includes a first bevel gear 86 secured to the shaft 46 and located in a. recess formed in the body wall 28 and a second matching bevel gear 88 engaging the first gear 86 and located in a recess 90 formed on the wall 28. The gear 88 is engaged and rotatable by the shank 92 of a crank 94 which terminates in a hand portion 96. The crank shank 92 extends through a transverse bore 98 formed in the body wall 28 and is locked against sliding movement by means of a set screw engaging a tapped hole` 102 inthe wall 28 communicating with the bore 98 and registering with a peripheral groove 104 formed in the crank shank 92. In order to permit the locating of the handle on the opposite side of the device 25 to accommodate right handed or left handed operators, a second tapped hole 106 is provided opposite to the hole 102.

Considering now the operation of the improved control device 24, the device may be initially laced up or f 5 threaded by removing the cap member 34 and lifting the spool 48 from the shaft 46. An individual control line is secured to and wound in each of the spool grooves 52, the lead ends of the lines being carried into corresponding recesses 32 about respective idler rolls 54 and forwardly through the bores v58. The device is then reassembled and is ready for use, the lead ends of the lines being preferably provided with any well known detachable fastening means. The ends of a pair of control lines guided through diametrically opposed bores 58 are secured to opposite ends of the controlled lever 12 and define lines 20a and 20b and the ends of the control lines passing through the other pair of bores 58 are secured to opposite ends of the controlled leve-r 14 and define lines 22a and 22h. The craft 10 is then carried from the control device 24 for the desired distance, the brake 66 being depressed and the pin 80 raised to unlock position to permit the rotation of the spool and proper withdrawal of the control lines and being released and returned to lock position respectively when the craft has been located the desired distance from the control device 24. The brake 66 is so manipulated as to retard the rotation of the spool 48 to a degree suicient to prevent back lash and to allow the uniform withdrawal of the lines. In manipulating the controls, the control device 24 is held by the operator so that the lines 20a and 201? are vertically spaced and the lines 22a and 22b are horizontal spaced. In order to manipulate the controlled element 12 Without moving the element 14 he merely rotates the device 24 about its horizontal transverse axis. 'This will result in a retraction of either line 20a or 20b as the case may be and a corresponding movement of the element 12. However, no relative movement of the lines 22a and 22h is eiected and hence no movement of the controlled element 14. Similarly, rotation of the control device 24 about its vertical transverse axis will eifect movement of the controlled element 14 without movement of the element 12. However, by rotating the control device 24 about an inclined transverse axis, movement of both controlled elements 12 and 14 is effected, their sense of movement and the relative degree of movement depending upon the inclination of the axis of rotation of the control device 24 and the direction of rotation, as can be seen in Figures l and 2 of the drawings. In returning the lines to stored position, the pin 80 is raised, and the Ibrake 66 depressed and the lines are wound in their respective grooves S2 by rotating the spool 48 by means of the crank 92 while maintaining the lines under suitable tension.

While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention it is apparent that numerous changes and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having now described our invention what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A line control device of the character described comprising a cup shaped body member having a front wall and a cylindrical peripheral Wall having a plurality of tangential-ly extending recesses formed in the inner face thereof, a cup shaped spool nested in said body member and rotatable about a longitudinal axis, said front wall having a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending guide openings formed therein and com. municating with the outer peripheral face of said spool by way of said recesses, means disposed in said recesses for guiding individual lines from said spool through said guide openings and means for rotating said spool.

2. A line control device in accordance with claim 1, including a cup shaped cap member registering with said spool and fastened to the peripheral wall of said body member and a hand grip secured to said cap and extending diametrically thereover.

3. A line control device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said spool has formed in its inner peripheral face a forwardly outwardly inclined eircumferentially extending surface and said cap member has formed in its outer peripheral face a longitudinally extending recess confronting said inclined surface and there are included a wedge shaped brake shoe located in said recess and slidable between a brake and a release position, means for actuating said brake shoe and spring means urging said brake shoe to said brake position.

4. A line control device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of longitudinally spaced peripheral grooves are formed in the outer face of said spool and said individual line guide means are disposed in said recesses at substantially the levels of said respective grooves.

5. A line control device in accordance with claim 1, wherein braking means are provided to retard the rotation of said spool.

6. A line control device of the character described, comprising a cap shaped body member having a front face and a rearwardly directed peripheral wall, a spool nested in said Abody member and rotatable about a longitudinal axis perpendicular to said front face, said spool having a plural-ity of longitudinally spaced peripheral grooves formed therein and said `body member having a plurality of passageways formed therein, each of said passageways extending Ilongitudinally and transversely from said front face along said peripheral wall to the level of a respective groove.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,061,953 Sampson Nov. 24, 1936 2,344,490 Brach Mar. 21, 1944 2,406,874 Walker Sept. 3, 1946 2,601,409 McArthur June 24, 1952 2,659,999 Turner Nov. 24, 1953 

